Jaime and Shaya appeared, wearing huge welcoming smiles. Then they both pulled Makenna into an unexpected hug as they greeted her.
“I’m so glad you’re finally here! Let me introduce you to my mate.” Shaya linked Makenna’s arm and went to lead her away . . . with absolutely no success. Ryan held Makenna’s hand tight, scowling at Shaya.
The redhead rolled her eyes at him. “Can’t you spare her for just a few minutes?”
Ryan yanked Makenna to his side. “No.”
“I’m sure you’ll find this great news,” said Jaime, smiling, “Greta won’t come. She said she won’t be part of an event that’s being held for ‘the loner.’”
Makenna’s mouth pursed. “That’s funny, because she’s right over there by that tree.” Arms folded, the old woman was huffing and humphing and snarling at the whole setup.
Shaya snickered. “She probably came because she’s scared of missing anything. What a shame.”
“Ryyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaan!” Kye ran to the enforcer and scrambled up his body. “Look what I’ve got.”
Ryan frowned at the object in Kye’s hand. “I don’t think that’s yours.”
Shaya sighed. “That’s because it’s Nick’s.” She held her hand out, but Kye didn’t give her the wallet. Just as she opened her mouth to speak again, a little blonde toddler crashed into her leg. “Hey, angel.” Shaya scooped her up. “This is my friend, Makenna. Makenna, this is my daughter, Willow.”
Makenna lightly tapped Willow’s cheek. “Hi, cutie.” The toddler smiled, the image of her mother.
“And the blond with Trey who’s heading for us is my mate, Nick.” Shaya smiled at him as he draped an arm over her shoulders and kissed Willow’s hair. “Nick, this is Makenna.”
Nick inclined his head. “Nice to meet you, Makenna. I’ve heard—Hey, that’s mine! Hand it over, pup.” Kye just stared at him. “Stop trying to outstare me,” Nick ground out, which made Trey chuckle.
“This again?” laughed a brunette with almond-shaped green eyes.
“Makenna, this is Ally, Derren’s mate,” said Shaya. “She’s a Seer.” Which meant she had visions of the future and was very empathetic.
Ally smiled. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard about the work you do at the shelter. I think it’s awesome. I came very close to choosing the lone shifter lifestyle myself once. Fortunately, the Mercury Pack gave me sanctuary.”
“And now we won’t let her leave,” said Shaya.
Ally snorted. “If I wanted to go, I totally could.”
Derren came up behind Ally and wrapped his arms around her. “Nah. I’d never let you.” He nodded at Ryan, who grunted.
Tired of sharing Makenna, Ryan handed Kye to Trey and then guided his mate to the collection of blankets. He chose one that was near a thick oak—far away from the blanket that Greta had claimed while no one was looking. He sat with his back against the tree and Makenna snug between his legs. “Comfortable?”
She burrowed deeper into him. “Yep.”
Brushing her hair aside, Ryan licked a mark he’d left on her nape. It had almost completely faded. He’d have to fix that. Later.
As Grace and Lydia passed around snacks, Makenna asked him, “What are the funniest famous last words you’ve ever heard?”
Lost, Ryan just stared at her. Why did her brain constantly spit out nonsensical questions?
“Fine, be boring.” She turned to Jaime, who was sprawled on the neighboring blanket, and repeated the question.
“Lightning never hits the same spot twice,” said Jaime. Everyone laughed. “You know any?” she asked her mate.
“Pull the pin out and count to what?” said Dante.
Dominic plopped himself on the ground next to Zac. “I got one: Hold my beer while I do this.”
Taryn raised her hand. “Hey, what does this button do?”
“This doesn’t taste right,” said Marcus.
Bracken, a Mercury Pack enforcer, spoke. “It’s just a flesh wound.”
Ally offered, “No, dummy, that’s a dolphin fin.”
“What’s that red dot on your forehead?” said Makenna.
Amused in spite of himself—it was, after all, a completely pointless conversation—Ryan kissed her temple. He remained mostly silent while everyone talked about various things, and he noticed that his pack made a point of involving Makenna in conversations. The tension soon left her, satisfying both him and his wolf; they wanted her to be relaxed and happy here.
It pained Ryan that she had been a loner for so long. Pack should be everything to a wolf, and he wanted Makenna to have that. Wanted her to feel as secure and safe with these people as he did.